Perplexity Goes After Tax Prep, IRS Testing Palantir for Audits

What happens when AI starts doing more than answering questions? Blake and David dig into Perplexity’s move into tax prep and bookkeeping, the IRS testing Palantir to help select audit targets, and why many firms still aren’t seeing real ROI from AI. They also unpack the surprising success of Trump accounts and what all of this could mean for accountants, firm workflows, and the future of the profession.

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Chapters

• (00:00) - TAP 482
• (02:37) - Trump Accounts Boom
• (07:22) - CPE With Earmark
• (08:38) - Perplexity Targets Taxes
• (12:32) - AI Agents And Moats
• (23:43) - Claude Cowork Bookkeeping
• (30:25) - Digits Outcome Pricing
• (30:58) - Digits Pay For Performance
• (31:25) - Zero Touch Guarantee
• (31:56) - Pricing Power Debate
• (32:20) - Switching GL Friction
• (33:11) - Reframe Conference Sponsor
• (34:26) - AI Security Banter
• (35:14) - IRS Palantir Snap Audits
• (39:09) - AI ROI Wrong Math
• (44:27) - Find The Bottleneck
• (46:14) - Automate Client Intake
• (48:02) - Claude PBC Workflow
• (54:40) - Weekly Close Discipline
• (56:13) - DHS Tax Extension Story
• (57:48) - Mentoring And Webinars
• (59:15) - Future Firm Tech Stack
• (01:01:45) - Wrap Up And CPE

 

Show Notes

4 Million Children Have Been Signed Up for Trump Accounts with 1 Million Claiming the $1,000 Pilot Program Contribution

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/4-million-children-have-been-signed-up-for-trump-accounts-with-1-million-claiming-the-1000-pilot-program-contribution

Introducing Computer for Taxes

https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/blog/introducing-computer-for-taxes

The IRS Wants Smarter Audits. Palantir Could Help Decide Who Gets Flagged

https://dnyuz.com/2026/03/30/the-irs-wants-smarter-audits-palantir-could-help-decide-who-gets-flagged/

Digits Announces Outcome-Based Pricing

https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/digits-announces-outcome-based-pricing

Your AI Business Case Is Built on the Wrong Math

https://www.cfo.com/news/your-ai-business-case-is-built-on-the-wrong-math-throughput-accounting-productivity/816014/

Treasury and IRS Announce Tax Filing Relief to DHS Personnel

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0431

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Transcripts

The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page